The next morning, Carmen was strolling through the same park she had visited last night with Gray. Unlike last time, the park was full of young children accompanied by their parents. Seeing the happy families brought a smile to Carmen's face, but the smile didn't last long, as Carmen couldn't stop thinking about Gray.

Carmen never gave him a call to ask him where he was or why he left so quickly. (Mainly because she found it difficult to pick up her phone and call him.) She wanted to talk to him more than anything! So why did Carmen find it so hard to dial his number? Was it because she was scared?

No... it can't be because she's scared. Why would Carmen be afraid of Gray?

"Whatcha thinking about?"

Carmen glanced over at Elena, who was skipping alongside her.

"Oh... nothing..."

"You sure? You've been awfully quiet all morning."

"I'm just tired. Didn't sleep well last night."

Elena didn't buy Carmen's excuse but shrugged it off anyway.

She skipped over to the other side of the playground, where the fields were coated with a ridiculous amount of dandelions, daisies, and iris'.

Elena gradually picked up one of the dandelions from the grass and skipped back to Carmen. She mischievously grinned as she began playing with the flower.

Carmen eyed her suspiciously, "What are you doing with that?"

"Oh, nothing. It was just pretty, so I wanted to get a closer look."

"Okay," Carmen answered slowly.

"You know there's a saying... if you rub a dandelion under your chin and the pollen sticks, it means you're in love."

Carmen stifled a laugh, "Oh, Elena, you don't really believe in that kind of stuff, do you?"

"I don't. But it would be fun to try. Don't you think so?"

"If you want to rub the flower under your chin, then go ahead. I'm not gonna stop you."

"Not me! I wanna try it out on you."

Carmen rolled her eyes, "Fine, but make it quick."

Elena smiled as she rubbed the dandelion under Carmen's chin. At first, it tickled, but after a while, Carmen felt her chin become a bit.... sticky.

"Carmen, the pollen stuck to your chin! You're in love!"

Carmen nearly choked on her own spit.

"What?!?! But I'm not in love with anyone!"

"The flower says otherwise."

"Well, the flower is wrong. I'm not in love," Carmen huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Well, I mean... there's Gray-"

"What? Gray? No, he's just a friend."

Elena snorted, "You sound like Adrien."

"Who?"

"Adrien Agreste! A character from this show I watch!"

"The one with the two teenagers who run around Paris while wearing magical ladybug and black cat onesies?"

"Yeah! That one!"

Carmen recognized the kids' show Elena was currently obsessed with. Personally, she didn't see what the big deal was... just two hero's who are in love with each other but can't be together for whatever strange reason.

But what did Carmen know? She only watched one episode with Elena. She didn't recall exactly what happened, but the hero dressed as a black cat turned evil because of some butterfly. Then the girl with the ladybug onesie had to fight him.

"I'm not following your TV logic. Besides, even if I did love Gray, it's not like he'd return my feelings or love me back."

Elena frowned, "Why's that?"

Carmen leaned her shoulder against a nearby tree, her eyes gazing out towards the children playing a few yards ahead.

"Well, last night, he and I were walking through this park. We talked about everything that happened during our last encounter. His work with VILE and ACME, and how I almost..."

Carmen fell silent. She didn't dare say the words.

Thankfully, Elena understood what she meant.

"What did he say?"

"Gray said that he's ashamed for choosing to join VILE, and for selfishly allowing VILE to use me as a brainwashed operative for over six months."

"Wow... that's harsh. But you forgive him, right?"

"Of course I do! He's the one who saved me!"

"Oh, did you tell him?"

"Yeah, I did! I even told Gray that I wanted him to be a part of my life again... but he's still upset about what he did. And after I tried talking things out with him, he left me."

"Well, it sounds like you need to do more than just ask him to stay."

"What more can I do?"

"Well... I think you need to tell him how you really feel."

"Elena, I already told you I don't love him."

"But you do care about him, and he does mean a lot to you. Doesn't he?"

"Yeah."

"Then tell him!"

"Do you really think that'll work?"

"I don't see why it shouldn't."

Carmen pursed her lips as she pulled out her phone. She didn't unlock it or do anything; she just stared at it.

"So... should I call him?"

"I think something this important should be discussed in person."

Carmen smiled as she put her phone back into her pocket, "You're right. Thanks, Elena. Now, we better get you to school before the bell rings."

Suddenly, Carmen felt her phone whirring in her back pocket. With raised brows, she pulled out her phone again to see her mother calling her.

Carmen answered the call immediately, "Hey, mom! Do you need anything?"

There was silence on the other end of the call for a solid minute, which troubled Carmen. Her mother wasn't usually the quiet type unless something was going on.

"Mom?"

"Honey," Carlotta finally spoke, "Where are you?"

"I'm at the park. Still walking Elena to school, why?" Carmen answered on the phone.

She glanced down at Elena, who gave her a 'what's going on' look. Carmen shrugged in response, mouthing the words 'I don't know.'

"Okay, I need you to come back to the orphanage. Right now. And bring Elena with you."

Carmen narrowed her eyes, her cherry-red lips tightening at her mother's tone. It didn't sound normal. And her voice was shaky and frantic. She sounded like she was about to cry, but for what?

"Why do you want us to come back? What's going on?"

"You'll find out everything soon. Just please come back, honey."

Carmen opened her mouth to speak, but Carlotta hung up before she could say anything.

Carmen started to feel uncomfortable. What was her mother so afraid about? Did something happen with one of the orphans? Is she hurt?

It was a mystery Carmen couldn't solve. But if her mother wanted both her and Elena to return (even though Elena would be missing school) then it had to be something serious.

"What did she say?" Elena asked, interrupting Carmen's thoughts.

"She wants us both to come back home."

"Now? But what about school?"

"I'm sorry, kiddo, but it looks like you're going to be missing your second day."

Elena frowned as Carmen led her back to the orphanage.

Once they got there, they saw three blue cars parked in front of the orphanage. Carmen recognized the vehicles in a heartbeat.

"ACME? What are they doing here?"

Now Carmen was determined to find out what was happening more than ever. She grabbed Elena's hand and kicked down the front door within seconds.

Right in front of her were the ACME agents Ivy, Zack, Zari, Chase, Julia, and the hologram Chief. They were sitting with Carlotta, who looked sick with worry.

"Isabel!" She cried. She ran up to her daughter and threw her arms around her shoulders. Carmen stiffened under Carlotta's embrace since she was too puzzled to hug her back.

"I was so worried!"

"What is going on?" Carmen asked once her mother pulled away.

She glanced towards Zack and Ivy as they walked up to her.

"Ivy? Zack? What are you-"

The two siblings interrupted Carmen and tackled her into another hug.

"We thought something had happened to you!" Ivy said.

Carmen grumbled in the siblings' arms. She'll admit, the hugs were sweet. But for heaven's sake, can they please explain what is happening?

She lightly shoved Zack and Ivy away, "Okay, that's enough hugs. What are you guys doing here? And why are you so worried about me?"

Thankfully, the Chief stepped up to finally answer Carmen's ongoing questions.

"We're sorry we had to intrude like this, but we just found out that four VILE operatives escaped from prison and are on the run here in Argentina."

Carmen's heart sank, her hands trembling.

No... this had to be a joke. But ACME wouldn't joke about something like this. So, either this was a big misunderstanding, or Carmen's greatest fears had come true. VILE was out there again, planning who knows what. And if they were in Argentina, then it wouldn't be long before VILE would get their hands on Carmen's family and use them as tools for revenge.

Carmen gripped onto a nearby chair to stop her hands from shaking.

She looked back at the Chief, "Do... Do you know who escaped?"

Chief nodded and motioned towards Julia, who showed Carmen four pictures.

Tigress, Dr. Bellum, Mime Bomb, and Coach Brunt.

No... not Brunt.

Carmen's grip on the chair tightened, "What are they targetting?"

"Well, at first, we thought they were targetting you, which is why we immediately flew to Buenos Aires and located your orphanage. We told your mother about the situation and asked her where you were. She said you were outside, so we asked her to call you and have you come back."

Carmen took a slow, deep breath. This was all happening too fast. She could barely process the situation after hearing VILE was out there again. Or, more specifically, Coach Brunt.

She was the one who nearly crushed Carmen to death that night in Poitiers, and it still sent shivers down her spine to this day.

If Brunt got a hold of Carmen or her friends or family-

Carmen shut her eyes tight. She didn't want to think about it.

"Well, if they are out there, we need to act fast. Do we have any other likely targets that VILE might exploit?"

"Agent Zari is working on it right now," Chief explained, gesturing towards the young agent on her laptop.

Carmen took another deep breath.

"Let me know when you find something. I'm going to get some water."

Carmen left the group and headed towards her families' private lounge. There she got an empty glass and filled it with water. Carmen instantly gulped down the whole glass, allowing the liquid to drain her pounding headache away. Suddenly, she heard someone shuffling behind her. Carmen put the glass down and turned to see her mother standing at the front of the room.

Carlotta still wore that pained expression she had when Carmen first walked inside the orphanage.

"Mom? What's wrong?" Carmen asked as she walked up to her.

"Isabel... are you really going to help your friends arrest those criminals again?"

"Of course I am! Why?"

Carlotta hesitated, "I just... I just don't want you to get hurt. You mean so much to me, honey, and I can't afford to lose you again."

Carmen stepped back in shock before chuckling at her mother's antics. "Mom, I'll be fine! You don't have to worry about me! I've been doing this kind of stuff my entire life. I can take care of myself!"

Carlotta was not amused.

She reached out for Carmen's hand and squeezed it gently.

"Just promise me... promise me you'll be careful. Don't take any unnecessary risks or do anything stupid. Promise?"

Carmen smiled warmly, "I promise."

Carmen wrapped her arms around her mother and pulled her in for a hug. "I love you, mom," She whispered.

"I love you too, Isabel."

They stayed wrapped up in each other's embrace, neither one wanted to pull away. Not until the ACME agents walked into the room.

Agent Zari cleared her throat, which captured Carmen and Carlotta's attention. They stepped out of the hug and turned to the agent.

"Sorry to disturb, but we've just found out what VILE's next target is."

"What is it?" Carmen asked, unsure if she really wanted to know. VILE's target could be anything! A hotel, Elena's school, the orphanage-

"The Teatro Colon."

"What?!?!" Carmen shrieked, causing everyone in the room to jump.

"Is there a problem, Ms. Sandiego?" Chief asked.

"The Teatro Colon! Gray has a gig there tonight!"

"So?" Zack asked, clearly not understanding the situation.

"It means they're targetting Gray! They're gonna hurt him or do something terrible!" Carmen frantically said as she paced around the room.

If VILE ever got a hold of Gray again, Carmen would never forgive herself. She had to save him before it was too late.

"Then let's go get him."

Later that night, Gray was backstage, working his shift at the Teatro Colon. He was casually setting up the lights when he heard a weird sound behind him. Like someone was lightly tapping on some equipment.

Gray whirled around, determined to see who was messing around, but what he saw made his heart stop.

"Tigress?"

Tigress glanced at him, a devilish grin plastered on her lips, "Hi, Crackle. Guess who's back from prison." She greeted in a husky voice as she continued playing with the equipment.

Gray glared at her, "How did you get out?"

"I broke out with the help of some friends."

The missing operatives! Gray thought.

"What are you doing here?" Gray asked, unsure if he wanted to know the answer. It was possible Tigress and the other operatives knew about his betrayal and were here to get their revenge.

"We came to Argentina to hunt down that scarlet traitor, but we didn't know where she was. But then, we found out that you were here too. So we decided to pop by for a visit."

"We? There are other operatives here?"

Tigress slowly nodded as she sharpened her claws.

"And don't think we don't know about your betrayal and how you brought Carmen's memories back. Traitor," Tigress hissed.

Gray got into a fighting stance as Tigress lunged towards him.

Gray was about to hit her when a familiar blur of red swung into the scene with a grappling hook and kicked Tigress down.

"Back off, Tigress!" Carmen snarled, protectively standing in front of Gray.

"Carmen?"

Carmen smiled at him before returning her attention to Tigress.

"Well, well, if it isn't Carmen Sandiego. The one who got us all arrested!"

"That was your fault. You should've never promoted me to faculty."

"Past is in the past. We're out here now, and we're gonna kill you for everything you've done!" Tigress screamed as she lunged towards Carmen and tried to slice her in half with her claws.

We're gonna kill you. Those words sent shivers down Gray's spine. It was no surprise that VILE wanted to achieve such a vicious goal after their defeat. But Gray wasn't going to let VILE get their hands on Carmen. He had to protect her, no matter the cost.

He continued to watch the fight in horror until Tigress fell over a piece of equipment. Carmen smirked at her and turned to go get something. That's when Tigress took the opportunity to pounce at her while she wasn't looking.

"Carmen! Look out!"

Gray dove towards Tigress, knocking her to the ground and landing on top of her. Tigress tried to slash her claws at Gray's face, but he dodged in time and threw a few punches at Tigress until she was knocked out cold.

"Gray! Are you alright?" Carmen asked, running towards him. She helped him stand on his feet as he dusted himself off.

"I'm fine. But you could've gotten hurt! You have to be more careful."

Carmen chuckled, "Now you sound like my mother."

"Well, she has a point. You let your guard down, and because of that, Tigress nearly got you!"

"But she didn't. You saved me."

"Yeah, but I'm not always gonna be here to save you. You have to be more alert next time."

Carmen didn't take his advice seriously, though. But she did reassure Gray that she'd be careful next time.

"Anyways," she spoke afterward, "I'm glad I got here in time. I was worried sick when I found out VILE was targeting you."

"How did you find out?"

"Being allied with ACME has its perks," Carmen winked.

Gray smiled before glancing back at the unconscious cat lady, "So, what do we do about the pussycat?"

"I guess this is where I call in ACME and let them take her back to prison."

"Yeah, that's a good idea."

Carmen and Gray stood over the now unconscious Tigress and were about to move her when they heard faint footsteps approaching them. They both whirled around to see another VILE operative backstage.

Spinkick.

"Oh great," muttered Carmen.

"Well, well, look who it is. Carmen Sandiego. Here to rescue your boyfriend, aren't you?"

Carmen scrunched up her face, an attempt to hide the blush forming on her cheeks.

"He's not my boyfriend, but I am here to save him."

Now it was Gray's turn to blush. But he quickly shook it off and got into a fighting stance again along with Carmen. But before a fight could break out between the three, Spinkick did something unexpected.

He smirked sinisterly at the two, not making any movements or attacks. He just stood there. Before Carmen or Gray could ask what he was doing, he disappeared into the shadows.

Carmen and Gray both shared the same confused expressions.

"What was that all about?"

"I don't know, but at least he's gone now. Let's get Tigress and- what in the world?"

Carmen raised a brow, "What?"

Gray pointed at the spot where Tigress once lay unconscious, but the space was empty. Tigress was nowhere to be seen.

"What the..."

"Spinkick must've been distracting us so that Tigress could escape!"

"But that doesn't make sense! Tigress was unconscious!"

"Maybe someone carried her away."

Carmen growled in frustration, slamming her fist against the wall.

"You okay?"

"No!" Carmen screamed, "I'm not okay! VILE escaped from jail, and they are out there now planning God knows what! And we just had Tigress within our grasp, and we let her run!"

"Hey, we'll get 'em next time. We just need to watch our backs. But we will get them, Carmen. You've already taken down VILE once, and you can do it again. And this time, we're going to capture every single one of them."

"We?"

Gray smiled, placing a hand on Carmen's shoulder, "You heard me. This time, I'm going to help you stop VILE once and for all."

Carmen stared at him in disbelief.

Was this really happening? Because this was too good to be true! Carmen even pinched herself just to see if it was just another dream, but it wasn't.

She and Gray were finally going to stop VILE together. They were no longer enemies. They were partners. (Not in that way, of course)

She turned back to him, eyes bright.

"So... we're the good guys now?"

Gray smiled, "Absolutely."

***

Later that night, Carmen and Gray had retreated back to the orphanage. They both agreed that it'd be best if Gray stayed with Carmen to avoid any unexpected attacks from VILE (like tonight). Now, neither Gray or Carmen would be alone if VILE ever decided to sneak up on them again. They'd have each other for protection.

Gray ended up spending the rest of his night packing up his belongings from the hotel he was staying at and moving in with Carmen.